Remembrance events in Wiltshire will be affected by the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown and restrictions on public gatherings.

Most local town and parish councils say they will be organising a limited and socially-distanced response to the UK’s national day to remember the dead from World War Two and other conflicts.

Nationally, a spokesperson for The Royal British Legion said: “Since Covid-19 measures first came into effect, we have instructed Royal British Legion branches that all activity undertaken by our members must be conducted in accordance with national and local government restrictions.

“We are encouraging our branches and members to continue supporting local Remembrance services and parades that follow government guidelines and only where social distancing measures can be fully adhered to.

“Local Remembrance services and parades are civic functions that are attended and supported by The Royal British Legion, and whilst we are happy to be consulted and provide assistance to organisers, the Legion is not responsible for, nor takes decisions regarding the delivery of these events.”

In Trowbridge, the Remembrance Service on November 8 will go ahead as planned, albeit with limited numbers.

A town council spokeswoman said: “During these uncertain and unprecedented times, and after much discussion, we have decided to proceed with the annual Remembrance Service to be held at St James’ Church and the wreath laying service at the town war memorial.

“Due to not being able to control social distancing and Covid-19 guidelines, we have however unfortunately had to cancel the parade for this year.”

At Bradford on Avon, the town council usually holds a service at Holy Trinity Church followed by wreath-laying at the war memorial in Westbury Gardens.

A council spokeswoman said: “We will be holding a wreath-laying ceremony together with the RBL and Holy Trinity, and with various community organisations laying their own tributes. The ongoing requirement around social distancing means that we won't be encouraging a large public presence however.”

At Corsham, the town council has not yet finalised its plans for Remembrance Sunday in partnership with MOD Corsham and the Corsham branch of the Royal British Legion.

Spokeswoman Sharon Thomas added: “I’m sure many towns are in the same situation.”

“Because of the government guidelines, and those from the Royal British Legion, we know there will be no parade this year or church service at St Bart’s, but we still hope to be able to mark the occasion in a suitable and respectful way, even if it has to be on a lesser scale than normal.

“On November 11 itself, the Legion will mark the two-minute silence at 11am in the Martingate Centre but, again, while we all hope that won’t change, none of us can guarantee anything at the moment.”

In Westbury, the town council is planning a limited service with Westbury RBL branch at the war memorial, which will be filmed for residents who wish to watch the service.

In Bratton, there will be a service at St James’s Church on November 8.  Afterwards, some members of the RBL Bratton Branch and Bratton Parish Council will mark the two minutes’ silence at the War Memorial at 11am, lay wreaths and hold a short non-denominational service.

There will not be a parade this year and a Field of Remembrance will be created around the war memorial. 

There will be a short commemoration at the war memorial on Armistice Day, Wednesday, November 11 at 11am and the two minutes’ silence will be observed.

In Heytesbury, the parish council has organised a service at St Peter and St Paul's Church on Sunday, November 8 at 10.45am.

In Hilperton, the parish council said: “Until we know what the restrictions might be by then, it is difficult to be able to make a decision at this time.  “It is something we will discuss with the Rector of our local churches.”   

In Holt, there will be a commemoration on the village green from 11am but this year it will be preceded by an inter-denominational service also held on the village green rather than in one of the two Holt churches who would usually host alternately.

In Wingfield, the parish council will put out its Tommie silhouette at the Wingfield crossroad war memorial and some people do place poppies there.

A spokesman said: “There is no actual service in the village due to the dangerous position of the traffic in close proximity to the memorial.”